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What is Blackboard? |
Blackboard is an eLearning software environment that will allow you to complement
traditional classroom learning. It creates an extended teaching and learning environment
through the use of the Internet and online learning activities. It can be used to supplement
and augment classroom learning and can also used to deliver distance learning.
Many teachers and students at Algonquin are already using Blackboard to support their
teaching and learning.
Blackboard is relatively easy to use for both teachers and learners. It provides a shell
that allows you to:
- post learning materials and other documents
- use communication tools (email, web-board etc.) to support communication between
you and the students and amongst the students themselves
- create online quizzes and assessment tools
- access course management tools such as a grade book, course reports, etc.
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Communication tools |
You can:
- provide announcements for the entire class or specific groups of learners within the class
- send email messages to individuals, groups or the entire class
- reinforce course expectations, remind students of due dates and help them manage
their time by using the course calendar and task lists
- post your course outline or other information about the course
- use the discussion board for Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- encourage learners to interact in threaded discussion
- use communication tools to support group work and collaborative learning
(for example: create email learning partners)
- hold "virtual" office hours
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Access learning resources and materials: |
You can:
- post class notes and/or handouts
- provide online tutorials
- provide links to other relevant web-sites and resources
- identify links to College resources students may need (for example: Study skills in
Counseling or databases in Resource Centre)
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Evaluate student learning, give feedback
and track progress: |
You can:
- distribute assignments
- have students use the electronic drop box or email to submit assignments electronically
- support (and monitor) group assignments with group discussion areas
- use online quizzes to help learners test their understanding
- use the digital drop box to manage student assignments
- post quiz grades
- help students monitor their own progress with calendar and task lists
- manage marks for your class with a spread sheet
- provide learners with an ongoing record of their marks
- use the stats function to see what pages learners have accessed
- set up and monitor the task list
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For more information on using Blackboard, follow the link at the left to Teaching with
Blackboard.
For help building online learning activities or adapting your curriculum,
contact Dianne Bloor, bloord@algonquincollege.com,
phone 5356. |
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How do I get started? |
If you are new to Blackboard, download our Getting
Started Bulletin -- RTF.
If you are registered on the Student Information System (GeneSIS) as a teacher or student of a
course section, you can log in to Blackboard and your course(s) will appear in your profile.
| Login to: |
online.algonquincollege.com
Use a high level browser.
We recommend Internet Explorer 4.0 or above
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| Username: |
Your Algonquin username |
| Password: |
Your Algonquin network password |
| Course ID: |
Semester_Course_Section
(Example: 01F_COUR001_010) |
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Examples of Help: |
- Online orientation for you or for your students
We have created a Blackboard orientation course for students. For you to use it, we will make
a copy of the course and make you the instructor of the copy. We then will enroll the students
you indicate in this course. To do this, tell us that you would like an orientation and the
names of the students you want in the orientation. An easy way to do this would be to give us
the number of a course-section that is already on Blackboard from which we can copy the
student names. To preview the student orientation or to have us create your student
orientation, send an email to
bbhelp@algonquincollege.com.
- In-class orientation to Blackboard for your students
If you require it, you may schedule us to come to your class and help you orient your students
to Blackboard. Email
bbhelp@algonquincollege.com.
- Blackboard courses for activities that are not in the
daytime timetable
If you require us to manually create courses for activities that are not in the daytime
timetable (such as Continuing Education evening courses), email
bbhelp@algonquincollege.com.
- Combining one or more course sections into one
Blackboard course.
Each course section on Genesis will create a Blackboard course. If you wish to combine course
sections within a Blackboard course, email
bbhelp@algonquincollege.com.
- Backing up your course and gradebook to ensure you have
a permanent record.
In order to keep a permanent record of your content or marks and assignments at the end of a
course, you can export your gradebook and save a zip file of your content. Contact
bbhelp@algonquincollege.com for more
information.
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How do I use Blackboard with my Macintosh? |
To use Blackboard with your Macintosh, you need to be running System 8.5 or later and a 4.0
level browser (preferably Internet Explorer 5.0).
Virtual Classroom in Blackboard and Macintosh
- If you are using the Chat Virtual Classroom, you will
need to set your monitor resolution to 600 x 800 or have a large monitor - the window is
large and does not resize well.
- If you use Netscape you will need to download a
special client to use with the Virtual Classroom.
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How do I get a Blackboard Account? |
If you are teaching courses in the daytime timetable, Blackboard courses have been created for
each of your course sections. Login to the Blackboard Server at online.algonquincollege.com,
using your Algonquin username and Network password to see your courses.
Otherwise, send an email to the Blackboard Help Line at
bbhelp@algonquincollege.com, including
the following information:
- Your name
- Your email
- The Course Name
- The Course Number (and Section Number(s), if applicable)
- The Program to which you intend to offer the course.
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Where is the student manual for Blackboard? |
The Blackboard Student Manual is found at this URL:
http://company.blackboard.com/Bb5/manuals/Bb5-LevelThree-Student/
There is a student orientation to Blackboard on the Server.
We have created a Blackboard Orientation Course for students. For you to use it, we will make
a copy of the course and make you the instructor of the copy. We then will enroll the students
you indicate in this course. To do this, tell us that you would like a Blackboard Orientation
Course and the names of the students you want in this course. An easy way to do this would be
to give us the number of a course-section that is already on Blackboard from which we can copy
the student names. To preview the student orientation or to have us create your student
orientation, send an email to
bbhelp@algonquincollege.com
If at any time you get a "page cannot be displayed" message, click on Refresh in your
browser.
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